Commissioner's Award of Excellence

Janice Maginn, RN at the Lancaster County Mental Health Crisis Center received the Commissioners Award of Excellence Award for October, 2013 at the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners meeting today. Ms. Maginn was nominated by her supervisor, Anita Leonard, RN, in the category of Valor.

In her nomination, Ms. Leonard noted that Ms. Maginn noticed a person struggling to breath and who had a foreign object in the throat. Ms. Maginn immediately came to the aid of this individual by performing back blows and abdominal thrusts. The individual literally was turning blue and unable to breathe, to the point of collapse. Her diligent efforts to dislodge the foreign object were met with success and the individual has recovered. The paramedics transported the individual to the hospital to ensure no other physical injury had occurred, and the nurse at the emergency department remarked on the intensity of the situation and was impressed with the efforts in responding to the event as well as the positive result.

Brent Smoyer, Lancaster County Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair, stated "Ms. Maginn's actions were lifesaving. She is typical of the dedicated and persevering employees we are fortunate to have working for Lancaster County. The Board is pleased to recognize Janice Maginn for her valor in literally helping to save this individual's life

The Commissioners Award of Excellence award recognizes employees who consistently provide outstanding service and work that demonstrates exemplary personal commitment to Lancaster County.